City of Cape Town Issues Two Week Vacate Notice to Salt River Market Informal Residents

Residents at the Salt River Market stables face a two week deadline to relocate as the City of Cape Town clears land for a 970 unit social housing project.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 5:44 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from GroundUp

Deadline Looming for Salt River Stable Residents

The City of Cape Town has issued a formal two week notice to approximately 21 households residing in an informal settlement at the former horse stables adjacent to the Salt River Market. This relocation is described as one of the final hurdles preventing the commencement of a major social housing development on the 1.7 hectare site. Residents have until April 14 to accept the municipality's offer of transport to an alternative site, or face potential legal action through an eviction order. The move highlights the mounting tension between the city's urgent need for formal housing units and the immediate displacement of vulnerable populations currently occupying the land.

Social Housing Project Promises Mixed Use Transformation

A land sale agreement finalized in 2022 between the City and the social housing institute Communicare set the stage for a comprehensive redevelopment of the property. The current project plan includes the construction of 300 social housing units and an additional 670 homes intended for the open rental market, alongside dedicated retail spaces. According to project officials, heritage approval has been secured and funding from the Social Housing Regulatory Authority is already in place. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in August or September 2026, assuming the site is cleared of its current inhabitants according to the city's timeline.

Safety Concerns Fuel Resistance to Relocation

While some families have already moved to the Ghost Town informal settlement near Maitland, several have returned to the Salt River stables, citing severe safety risks at the new location. Residents like 76 year old Marina Harris express deep anxiety regarding the move, arguing that the current settlement offers a protective community environment for children that is absent in Ghost Town. According to Harris, the presence of gang activity and frequent shootings in the Maitland area makes it an unsuitable alternative for families who have established deep roots in the Salt River neighborhood. These residents maintain that their current location, though lacking formal amenities, provides a level of security that the city’s provided alternative cannot match.